Back in Stalin’s good books, PTR has last laugh months after ‘demotion’: ‘Transformed IT sector’

In the state’s political circles, PTR’s transfer of portfolio was seen as a “demotion”, especially when set against his expertise in finance besides his family background.

On Friday, Stalin reminded the audience that PTR is a “professional”, a former top banker, a graduate of premier institutions such as NIT Trichy and MIT, who chose to return to India to serve his people, and that his entry into politics was not just a career shift but a continuation of a legacy — “to serve the Tamil community on the footsteps of his father and grandfather.”

In the “leaked audio”, PTR was purportedly heard claiming that Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi and his son-in-law Sabareesan had allegedly amassed huge wealth by illegal means. PTR called the audio clips “forged” and malicious.

However, as the most vocal DMK voice against the Centre’s policies, particularly regarding financial matters like the GST dues and the undermining of state powers, PTR came in the line of fire from different quarters.

On Friday, Stalin said “Rajan (PTR) comes from a family that has been serving our society for over three generations… After he served as the Finance Minister, I decided to shift him to the IT department, as the IT portfolio also required reforms, like in finance. We can now see that it worked. The IT department has improved a lot by facilitating employment opportunities.”

The CM’s acknowledgment not only served to vindicate PTR’s work, but also highlighted his importance for the DMK. A top source close to the Chief Minister’s Office told The Indian Express that after the controversy and portfolio change, PTR did not violate the decorum. “He worked hard. He is one of the best hands in the party and Cabinet, one who is close to the CM’s family more than many others. But it was also crucial that he be cautious in making casual remarks. There was no order issued to him to change something, no restrictions to his writings or interviews, but we wished for some nuanced course corrections, considering the huge responsibility he holds. He has reformed the IT sector. But there are also significant reforms in his communication style now. The CM’s kudos on Friday was recognition of both these ‘reforms’,” the source said.

As Finance Minister, PTR was credited with pioneering several reforms that aimed to stabilise and help grow Tamil Nadu’s economy. His strategies and implementation were seen as bold moves to restructure the state’s financial health.

Before entering politics, PTR had a successful career as a banker who had lived and worked abroad, including a significant stint in Singapore. What made his political entry easy was his family legacy. His grandfather, P T Rajan, served as Chief Minister of the Madras Presidency in the 1930s, while his father, P T R Palanivel Rajan, was a DMK minister.

Armed with his professional experience and a significant family heritage, PTR won two consecutive elections to the state Assembly from the Madurai Central constituency in 2016 and 2021, which reflected his popularity among the electorate.

Known for his dedication to his constituency, PTR had publicly declared that he would not bribe his voters. He regularly issued report cards every six months detailing his work.

Married to an American and settled in Chennai with his wife, two sons and half a dozen dogs, PTR is also not in sync with the DMK’s atheistic ideology. An ardent devotee of Goddess Meenakshi, he regularly visits the Madurai Meenakshi temple, honouring a vow he took after his father’s death in 2006. His family has a long connection to the Sabarimala temple in Kerala too. His grandfather had donated a deity of Lord Ayyappa to the Sabarimala temple after a massive fire there in the 1950s. It was an astrologer who suggested the then Pandalam King, the caretaker, to approach PTR’s grandfather for the deity.

Despite his deep personal faith, PTR manages to navigate the DMK’s secular and rationalist ideology, displaying a blend of personal belief with his political identity as a key DMK face.